There’s a mothers exercise training group that I joined almost three months ago. I’ve spoken about them in previous posts – here and here.
Most of them are hard core. Super fit. They are the perfect group of people to get me motivated in losing all these wobbly bits brought on by twinlet birth and an undying love for salt and vinegar chips.
We meet every Tuesday and Thursday mornings – rain, hail or shine.
In all its heavy rain and strong winds, yesterday morning was no exception.
As we arrived for training, standing under the only tree in the park for protection, our trainer started to brief us on the raining trail she had planned for us.
We all looked at each other, looked at the rain and all groaned.
Yet, off we trotted.
As the downpour became heavier, one of the other mums jokingly yelled out to our trainer, “You know, this is totally going beyond the call of duty !!!”
And she was right. Going beyond what we usually would’ve done and completely step out of our comfort zone.
But then, there is the outcome.
I seriously took up running three months after the boys were born. It has been a struggle. I am not a natural runner. In fact, initially I hated it.
But as it’s typical of my character to live up to a challenge, I’ve tried to stick with it.
To try and conquer the fear.
A little over a year later, there I was: Jogging in the rain with a bunch of superfit mums.
Despite looking like a drowned rat who had been floating in an open sewerage canal, I was loving every minute of it. Soaking up the liberating feeling of being outdoors . Appreciating the rain for all of its natural beauty rather than its usual inconveniences.
So here’s the deal: I’ve signed up for the famously gruelling 14km City2Surf.
In its lead up (which is Sunday, 14th of August…10 and a half weeks away), every week, I’m going to write a post about my running and fitness.
Where I’m at in getting rid of these post pregnancy love handles.
I’m going to step out of my comfort zone and make sure I see myself at the end of that of that finishing line at Bondi Beach.
In each post, there will be a list of the highlights and achievements from the week.
What better time to start than now ?
Highlights:
- I’ve lost five kilos in two and a half months
- Went down a jean size in three weeks
- My mother-in-law came to visit last week and while I was out of the room, she pulled my husband aside and asked him if there was anything wrong with me as I was “fading away”.
Achievements:
Running a 7km trail in the rain with a bunch of awesome women who are my inspiration.
I’m pumped. City2Surf 2011. Bring it on.
I wish I could find that kind of motivation again. I used to love boot camp, especially in the rain… but it took me until Pumpkin was two to want to do it again so I’ve still got a while to go with The Monkey.
Maybe following your amazing achievements will get my butt into gear again!
Motivation is a funny thing. It can take forever to find, then once you’re in the momentum, nothing can hold you back. I’m hanging onto the momentum for as long as I can 🙂 Always wanted to do boot camp before twinlets…I guess I’m making up for lost time 🙂
I look forward to folling your progress in the coming weeks. Well done so far. Getting back into my running (after about 3 years break) is something I am aiming to do in the coming months.
I’m sure you’ll get back into it soon enough. Just keep the eye on the prize 🙂 Thanks for dropping by !
Well done, I’ve done no more than about 4 km at a time in the last couple of months.
You’ll get there ! We’ve made a rendezvous to meet at the finishing line, remember ? 🙂
I have twins too and am also learning to run….is anyone a “natural” runner lover?! I go to the gym and dance a fair bit but find that running takes me out of my comfort zone and is far more challenging as you generally have just yourself to keep your ass moving!
Look forward to hearing more about your city2surf..that’s awesome!
PS – Love your blog design!
Oooh ! Another mum of twins !
You’re right. Perhaps noone is a “natural” runner lover. Endurance seems to always be about stepping out of the comfort zone…
Thanks for dropping by ! 🙂
Hope to swap fun twin stories with you too 🙂
The City2Surf is sooo much fun! Keep up your training! You’ll feel a huge sense of achievement when you cross the finish line. OMG, I love salt ‘n vinegar chips too! LOL! 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement, Lina !
I reckon my reward when finishing the run is a big bag of S’nV chips…yes ? 🙂
Thanks for dropping by x
GO YOU! I just took up running too. I’m doing a 5 miler at the end of this month. I ran in the rain with a superfit (and much younger) friend today. It sucked at first, but was totally worth it in the end.
Good luck!
Oooh, good luck with your run too !
Promise me you’ll do a post on it !
Thanks for the encouragement ! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment!
Twins! They must keep you on your toes-they look to be a similar age to my older boy? (He is 17.5 months)
I loved running when I was younger but was always a sprinter- long distance running never did it for me but when I wanted to lose weight a couple of years ago healthy eating and walking 15,000 steps or more a day helped me so I can imagine that running would be even better.
Good luck staying motivated and good luck for the city2surf- I am sure you will have a great time and be so pleased with yourself once you are done.
Hey Lulu,
Yup – rearing twins is almost as tough as a half marathon 🙂 But even more rewarding…LOL.
The boys have just turned 16 months so yes, similar to your eldest.
Don’t they grow up so fast ?
Thanks for dropping by and the encouragement.
Look forward to following your blog 🙂